Australia plays down court refugee ruiling

The Australian Federal Government is playing down the significance of the High Court ruling that found a Sri Lankan refugee could not be denied a visa, despite being deemed a security risk.

Cigarettes price up

The Price of cigarettes has been increased by Rs 2 with effect from today, official sources said.

Sorry Sri Lanka, but it's definitely ours-Gayle

Chris Gayle, whose powerful batting laid the foundation for a West Indies semi-final win against Australia yesterday, is predicting his side will emerge victorious when they meet Sri Lanka in the finals of the ICC World Twenty20 on Sunday.

Bailey tells SL to batten down for Gayle

Australia captain George Bailey warned Sri Lanka to get Chris Gayle out cheaply in the World Twenty20 decider or face defeat after the West Indian's remorseless power-hitting dominated Friday's semi-final.

Hardcore LTTEers to be prosecuted soon

The Government will in the next few weeks file charges against 60 hardcore LTTE cadres against whom the authorities had found clear evidence of having committed war crimes and crimes against humanity, a Committee of Legal Counsel said yesterday.

21-year-old found dead at cricket match

The body of a 21-year-old man was found at the T.B. Illangaratne Grounds in Mulleriyawa where the T20 World Cup semifinal match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka was shown on a giant screen on Thursday night.

Unions go to SC over improper EPF investments

Eleven trade unions filed a fundamental rights violation petition before the Supreme Court challenging improper investments made by the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) in loss-making companies listed in the Colombo Stock Exchange.

WI into WT20 finals

West Indies beat Australia by 74 runs in the second semi-final on Friday to book a place in Sunday's final against hosts Sri Lanka

Govt. prolonging education crisis: Ranil

Opposition United National Party (UNP) Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe today called for a public debate on the budget with the participation of all political parties, civil groups and trade unions in addition to the customary parliamentary debate on the subject.

West Indies to bat first against Australia

West Indies skipper Darren Sammy won the toss and elected to bat first against Australia in the second semi-final of the World Twenty20 on Friday.

No threat to Lankans-Govt

Sri Lanka today said that there is no security threat to the Sri Lankan Community including the University Students in Chittagong in Bangladesh.

Wasim Akram criticises pitch for SL-Pakistan match

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has lashed out at the authorities for preparing a unsporting track for the ICC World Twenty20 semi-final between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at the Premadasa stadium in Colombo.

Action against Dy. Minister’s driver

A case will be filed against Deputy Minister Dulip Wijesekara’s driver who is alleged to have violated the speed limit on the Southern Expressway, Police spokesman SSP Ajith Rohana said

Video: Beire Lake will be completely rehabilitated-Gota

Secretary Defence and Urban Development Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday said that the long neglected Beire Lake will be completely rehabilitated.

Chandrasena now a Dy. Minister

UPFA MP S.M. Chandrasena, who earlier resigned from his cabinet ministerial portfolio, took oaths as Deputy Minister of  Agrarian Services and Wildlife before President Mahinda Rajapaksa a short while ago

Dy. Mayor caught in bribery net

The Deputy Mayor of the Dambulla Municipal Council (UPFA)  has been arrested by the Bribery Commission when he was allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs. 100, 000 a short while ago

SF to form opposition alliance on Oct. 18

Former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka said yesterday that he would form a ‘united opposition alliance’ in the hope of unseating the government soon. The alliance’s inaugural rally will be held in Colombo on October 18.

Missing girl found after 2 years

A ten year old girl who had gone missing from the Baduraliya area two years ago was yesterday found by the police in Kuruwita while allegedly being kept by a man in his forties

SC to decide on Governor’s approval

The Court of Appeal yesterday referred to the Supreme Court for its interpretation or determination the question relating to the interpretation of the Constitution whether the expression of the views of the Provincial Council includes the expression of the view of the Governor when a Provincial Council is dissolved

SL into WT20 finals

Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 16 runs in the first semi-final of the World T20 2012 at the R Premadasa Stadium, a short while ago. Pakistan chasing 140 to win, were restricted to 123 for the loss of 7 wickets in their 20 overs

Plans underway to boost education system: SB

Higher Education Minister S.B Dissanayake said today that the government was prepared to make amendments to the Universities Act of 1978 to expand and develop local universities to be on par with other internationally recognised institutes

T20: SL set 140 for Pakistan

Sri Lanka made 139 for four wickets in their 20 overs after opting to bat first against Pakistan in the first semi-final of the World Twenty20 in Colombo

SL to bat first

Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene won the toss and elected to bat first against Pakistan in the ICC World T20 2012 semi-final match at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo a short while ago

Video: Tense situation near Bangladesh HC

A tense situation was reported near the Bangladeshi High Commission located in Ward Place, Colombo, a short while ago after protestors attacked the building with water bottles damaging its windows

Govt. trapped in major financial quagmire: UNP

UNP parliamentarian Harsha de Silva today insisted that the government was facing a major crisis because it has got its priorities mixed up

GMOA seeks probe on PMC guidelines

The secretary of the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) today handed over a written complaint to the police to start investigations on accepted guidelines and criteria when establishing the Private Medical Campus in Malabe (PMC), police said

Rishad ordered to appear before court

The Mannar Magistrates’ court today ordered Minister Rishad Bathiudeen to appear before courts on November 28, on allegations of threatening the former Mannar Magistrate.

Rs.2bn approved for Military uniforms

The cabinet has approved 2 Billion rupees for the purchase of uniform material required for the military. The approval was granted after a proposal was made to this effect by the President as the Minister of Defense and urban Development, to the cabinet, cabinet spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said

Athauda’s media sec. remanded

Media Secretary of Senior Minister Athauda Senaviratne was remanded till October 18 after he was arrested and charged for swindling money from individuals promising to provide them with local and foreign jobs.

Court allows ‘Girl with snake’ FR case

Supreme Court today granted leave to proceed in the Fundamental Right case filed by the girl with a snake arrested in Cleopatra Club. Leave to proceed was granted in respect of Articles 12, 13 & 14.